Some thoughts on Cruising
It seems logical to assume that
folks who apply for Membership in Ventura Sail and Power Squadron plan to use
boats [their own or others'] on the water. Here in Ventura County we
are blessed with some of the finest boating waters in the Country.
Let's enjoy them together.
Within easy reach we have Lake
Piru, Lake Casitas and Lake Cachuma for small boat skiing and/or
fishing. For a change in activity we have the Colorado River.
We also have the Santa Barbara
Channel, with the Wonderful Channel Islands. Anacapa Island, only
fifteen miles away, is great for a one-day adventure. Picnic ashore,
or at anchor. In the early 80s the Squadron convened at Frenchy's
Cove to witness the wedding of P/C Anderson with his bride, Dallas.
But Anacapa offers a wonderful variety of activities, from scuba to
hiking to fishing.
More advanced boating experiences
begin when you go a bit further to Santa Cruz Island. Some seventeen
miles away along and around the east end there are Yellow Banks,
Smugglers Cove and Scorpion, all good, snug harbors, unless the Santa
Ana Winds are blowing. [ take Dave Williams WEATHER Course, and avoid
that.] But shelter may be found in varying conditions and wind
directions along the North shore, which stretches some twenty miles
further west towards Forney's cove. Forney's is sheltered from all
but the west wind.
We don't need to travel to the
South Pacific to enjoy a vacation-week [or more] cruise. A leisurely
sail clockwise from Scorpion, around the east end, then along the
south shore with a rest at Forney's, can finish with a couple of days
in Santa Barbara Harbor.
Ventura Squadron will offer
opportunities for new, less experienced boaters to build skills and
enjoy these wonderful waters. We hope that you, our more experienced
boaters, will join in to support our newcomers.
In 2007 we inaugurated our EGOB program. Many new boaters, or those
whose experience has been limited to small, confined water, may be
awed by our ocean. The presence of an Experienced
Guest
On
Board
can provide reassurance while the skipper becomes accustomed to
these conditions. Here is an opportunity for some of us old timers
who no longer own boats, to enjoy the sea again, while helping new
boaters.
Because
we are blessed with two harbors, we have identified a rendezvous
point, halfway between them. Please mark it on your charts. RDV is
at 34°
12.2' N, 119° 16.2' W. That is one mile off from the Mandalay
power plant. As we plan outings this year, we will start from RDV.
P/C Hal Wilder, AP
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